Henri Meilhac (1830–1897)

This version with Risë Stevens came highly recommended by Jim Svejda, who is nothing if not opinionated. It's the only cd version I have and I hadn't compared it favorably against my LPs of Marilyn Horne, Tatiana Troyanos, etc. But now that it has been years since I've listened to the LPs (my turntable needing repair but is a 70s Garrard worth it?), it's sounding better to me. And Carmen is just sooo listenable. There's probably a reason it's America's favorite opera ... or was at one point. Jan Peerce is a bit annoying, for the same reason I find many opera singers annoying - the resonant nasal quality that sounds like they're singing for themselves instead of the back of the house. Maria Callas springs to mind. Terrific actress and in her early days sounded great. Why sing like you have a mouth full of marbles?
Anyway, good recording. Great opera for newbies, introducing motives and, like, other serious stuff.… (more)